Matchups will be key if XU hopes to advance

On this selection Sunday, there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Xavier men’s basketball team.
They have lost five of their last ten games, and struggled both on the offensive (against Temple in the A-10 semifinals) and defensive (losses to Duquesne, Dayton, Charlotte and Richmond) ends.
It is useful, though, to take a step back and look at the Musketeers’’ strengths and weaknesses:

Strengths
Rebounding- Xavier is 20th in the nation at 42.7 rebounds per game, a statistic aided by their starting lineup featuring five players 6’5” or taller and their frontcourt depth.
Meaning- Maryland, Boston College and BYU could give Xavier trouble early because they can match their size. Generally, however, the Musketeers will need to take advantage of an advantage on the glass in the first round game to move on.
Defense (generally) - Xavier is 19th nationally in Ken Pomeroy’s adjusted defensive rankings, led mainly by their stout interior defense.
Meaning- Xavier will defend in a similar way against any team (Sean Miller will rarely ever go zone). Xavier will have to win close games throughout the tournament, as they will never be a team to blow anyone out.
Weaknesses
Point guard play- Xavier starts a shooting guard at the point, and brings an often unreliable freshman off the bench to relieve him. This has led to 15 turnovers per game from the Musketeers and frequent stagnation against pressuring defenses.
Meaning- Xavier does not matchup well against high-pressure teams. Teams like North Dakota St., Siena, BYU, Boston College and Creighton would be difficult first round opponents for Xavier. Defending penetration­- ­Teams with multiple guards who are able to take Xavier’s bigger, slower guards off the dribble have consistently given Xavier trouble. It has created easy layups, foul trouble for the big men and open three point looks.
Meaning- Xavier does not match up well with guard-oriented teams, who are predicated on their point guard creating. Teams like VCU, St. Mary, Boston College, Michigan and even Maryland would be tough first round draws for the Musketeers.

In March, it is all about the matchups, really, and Xavier could have matchup problems against a number of their early opponents. However, they are not alone in this sentiment, as the majority of NCAA teams, save possibly the top seeds, are in the same boat. Nonetheless, the chinks in the Musketeers’ armor could manifest themselves in an early exit if the Selection committee is unkind to Xavier.